Weekly news from around the 32 counties of Ireland

General Medical Council hearing into a children's doctor from the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen heard how his record keeping was 'deplorable and inexcusable'. Expert witness Dr Dewi Evans, a consultant pediatrician acting for the GMC, blasted Dr Jarlath Michael O'Donohoe's note keeping in the strongest terms, labeling it 'dreadful' and 'shocking' following the death of 17-month-old Lucy Crawford. Dr O' Donohoe, the consultant pediatrician at the Erne, is facing charges of 'serious professional misconduct' and a number of allegations relating to his treatment of toddler Lucy, who died after treatment that she received in the hospital in April 2000.

(Source: The Fermanagh Herald)

GALWAY

Galway has a new king as Gort man Leo Finn has be selected as the King of The Culchies for 2009. He beat off steep opposition from 19 other hopeful culchies last weekend at the annual 'King of the Culchies' competition in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.Leo will now sit on the Glen Eagle Throne for the next year, where he will rule over his fellow culchies. Leo first fought for the title in 2000 and was narrowly defeated, but this year he made no mistake and left all his rivals trailing in his wake.

(Source: Galway Independent)

KERRY

Kerry entrepreneur Mike Fitzgerald, founder of Tralee-based communications form Altobridge, has won top prize in the Emerging category at the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The Castlegregory native is the third entrepreneur based at the Technology Park to win the prestigious award and follows previous winners Jerry Kennelly founder of Stockbyte and Alan Scroope of Freeflow. Altobridge, founded in 2002, develops software and technology that allows the low cost use of satellite technology to improve and set up mobile phone and communications networks in isolated areas.

(Source: The Kerryman)

KILDARE

A Newbridge man showed he has the skills when it comes to poker when he scooped the very first Paddy Power Poker Pro grand in Dublin two weeks ago. On Friday 23 October local man Derek Thorpe became the very first Paddy Power Poker Pro when he won the Poker Pro grand tournament. To win the award, the 26-year-old Kildare man had to beat thousands of other poker players - and in doing so he won a professional poker package worth €60,000.

So what is the benefit of holding the Poker Pro title? Well, it means that Derek Thorpe will become paddy powerpoker.com’s sponsored poker pro for the next 12 months - the €60,000 will go towards entering him into some of the biggest poker tournaments in the world at no cost.

(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

KILKENNY

Ten sports clubs from Kilkenny, two more than last year, are amongst a record 582 applicants from across the 32-counties to put their names forward for the 2009 Texaco sport stars bursaries. Last year, Piltown camogie club was one of the winners. Launched three years ago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texaco sport stars awards, the scheme is open to sports clubs of all kind, North and South. Over 120,000 Euro has been allocated from which a total of 25 sports clubs stand to benefit, 20 from the Republic of Ireland and five from Northern Ireland. Judging is currently underway.

(Source: The Kilkenny People)

LAOIS

Anger has been expressed last week at the potential loss of a sports coordinator for people with disabilities in Laois. In 2008, Paraolympian, Garrett Culliton, became the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Laois Sports Partnership, which was funded by the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Fund. The Clonaslee man has helped to coordinate sports programs for over 320 people in the county. The current funding allocation will expire at the end of year. The program was set up to increase participation level of people with a disability in sport, heightening awareness among clubs of the needs of people with a disability. The SIDO program in Laois has delivered activity and sports programs with the help of 200 volunteers.

(Source: The Laois Nationalist)

LEITRIM

Drumsna's newest landmark, a €5.5 million railway bridge, is due to be lifted into it's new permanent home this week. The railway bridge was due to be lifted last Tuesday but due to wind, the big move was postponed until a calmer day this week. It is understood that the largest crane ever used in Ireland is being used to put the bridge in place across the Shannon in Drumsna.

(Source: The Leitrim Observer)

LIMERICK

Fears over a potential gang-related incident have led to the installation of a phone link from one of the country's busiest emergency departments to Henry Street Garda station.

Emergency consultant Dr Cathal O'Donnell said that while there have been no major incidents at the A&E in Dooradoyle to date, there have been occasions when the entire department has had to be shut down and the waiting area evacuated.